Filtration device for rapid separation of biological particles from complex matrices

Abstract

Methods and systems for filtering of biological particles are disclosed. Filtering membranes separate adjacent chambers. Through osmotic or electrokinetic processes, flow of particles is carried out through the filtering membranes. Cells, viruses and cell waste can be filtered depending on the size of the pores of the membrane. A polymer brush can be applied to a surface of the membrane to enhance filtering and prevent fouling.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 a plurality of chambers; 
 at least one filtering membrane between a first chamber and a second chamber of the plurality of chambers, the at least one filtering membrane having a pore size based on a desired biological particle to be filtered; 
 at least one polymer brush layer, attached to the at least one filtering membrane on a side downstream to a fluidic flow between the first chamber and the second chamber; and 
 magnetic nanoparticles in at least one chamber of the plurality of chambers, 
 wherein the magnetic nanoparticles comprise a polymer brush layer on their surfaces. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of chambers comprises three chambers, a first filtering membrane between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a second filtering membrane between the second and a third chamber. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first electrode in the first chamber and a second electrode in the second chamber, to provide fluidic flow by electrokinetic forces. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the desired biological particle is a virus, a bacterium, cell, or cell waste. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising two electrodes configured to apply an electrostatic potential to the plurality of chambers, thereby driving the fluidic flow by electrokinetic forces. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one polymer brush layer is made of polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydrogel polymer in at least one chamber of the plurality of chambers, the hydrogel polymer configured to apply osmotic pressure to the plurality of chambers. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the hydrogel polymer is a hydrogel polymer scaffold. 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 providing a plurality of chambers, at least one filtering membrane between a first chamber and a second chamber of the plurality of chambers, the at least one filtering membrane having a pore size based on a desired biological particle to be filtered, at least one polymer brush layer, attached to the at least one filtering membrane on a side downstream to a fluidic flow between the first chamber and the second chamber; 
 inserting a solution containing biological particles in the first chamber of the plurality of chambers; 
 driving the fluidic flow through the plurality of chambers; and 
 extracting the desired biological particle after filtering through the plurality of chambers, 
 wherein: 
 the plurality of chambers further comprises magnetic nanoparticles in at least one chamber of the plurality of chambers, and 
 the magnetic nanoparticles comprise a polymer brush layer on their surfaces. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of chambers further comprises at least two electrodes, the method further comprising:
 applying an electrostatic field to the plurality of chambers by the at least two electrodes, thereby driving the fluidic flow by electrokinetic forces. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of chambers further comprises a hydrogel polymer in at least one chamber of the plurality of chambers, the method further comprising:
 applying the osmotic pressure by the hydrogel polymer. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogel polymer is a hydrogel polymer scaffold. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising applying a magnetic field in at least one chamber of the plurality of chambers. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein applying a magnetic field comprises controlling a flow of the magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein controlling the flow of the magnetic nanoparticles comprises separating the magnetic nanoparticles from the biological particles.